Rejoice! The college basketball season officially returns on Monday!
We've waited long enough, now we'll have two opportunities on opening day to watch North Carolina Tar Heels basketball!
Courtney Banghart and the UNC women's basketball program get the action going early on Monday morning in Chapel Hill as they brace for a non-conference battle with NC Central.
These two programs met a season ago, a matchup that resulted in a 119-43 victory for the Tar Heels. Each of the 12 players who took the court for the UNC women's basketball program scored at least five points, including six double-digit scorers.
Of course, it's a brand-new year, and with the new world of college athletics, you never can expect results based on prior ones. Both teams have a bit of a new-look this season, and will look to Monday morning's contest as a stepping stone toward building a successful season for their respective programs.
2024-2025 Season In Review
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 29-8
Conference Record: 13-5
Home Record: 12-4
Away Record: 9-1
Neutral Site Record: 8-3
NC Central Eagles
Overall record: 9-21
Conference Record: 6-8
Home Record: 5-6
Away Record: 4-14
Neutral Site Record: 0-1
Key Players (with 2024–2025 stats)
North Carolina
Reniya Kelly (Jr. Guard)- 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Indya Nivar (Sr. Guard)- 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Nyla Harris (Sr. Forward- Transfer from Louisville)- 8.6 points, 5.3 rebounds
NC Central
Morgan Callahan (Gr. Forward)- 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Shakiria Foster (So. Guard)- 9.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Aysia Hinton (Jr. Guard)- 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Build off the final preseason tune-up
Exhibition games can teach you a lot about your team (both good and bad). Considering their opponent (a perennial Final Four team), along with the fact that they were playing without two potential starters, losing by single-digits is nothing to be disappointed in.
Sure, the first half was a bit sloppy, but the Tar Heels picked it up nicely in the second half.
Now, the goal will be to build upon that experience as they play in front of the Carmichael faithful for the first time this season. Featuring one of the youngest teams in the country, every bit of experience will help them grow, as this is yet another opportunity for them to build and gain valuable on-court experience in a game that actually counts.
Something to Watch for
Both Reniya Kelly and Blanca Thomas did not suit up for the UNC women's basketball program's final exhibition game against South Carolina, as their status for the season opener could be in question.
The hope is that both are able to go on Monday, especially considering how important each of them are to this year's team.
Projected Starters
No. 0- Lanie Grant
No. 2- Nyla Harris
No. 10- Reniya Kelly
No. 21- Ciera Toomey
No. 24- Indya Nivar